An observatory measures two clouds of dust and gas. The clouds have the same mass and started with the same radius. Neither cloud has begun nuclear fusion.
| Cloud | Approximate radius | Temperature at centre |
|---|---|---|
| P | 6.0 × 10¹² km | 20 K |
| Q | 3.0 × 10⁷ km | 2.0 × 10⁵ K |
Explain which cloud has progressed further towards becoming a star. Use both measurements in the table.
Cloud Q continues to collapse. Explain how it can become a stable main sequence star.
84 exam-style questions on AQA GCSE Physics 8.1 Solar system; stability of orbital motions; satellites, covering 8.1.1 Our solar system, 8.1.2 The life cycle of a star, and 8.1.3 Orbital motion, natural and artificial satellites. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.